Reviewed by Mitch Andrews and posted on August 10, 2010

"Hubba Hubba Zoot Zoot" was originally released by a Swedish group called Caramba in the 1980s, whose album featured a bunch of songs that were all sung in a non-existent language. In 1999 during the bubblegum dance revolution, Ghost Gang remade the song, adding English lyrics and thumping dance beats, as well as a cute lead female vocalist. This is a review of their 1999 CD maxi, featuring 5 versions and a bonus track.

The Radio Mix, track number one, is the most well-known version of Ghost Gang's cover, and features some absolutely outstanding production by Holger Lagerfeldt. This is a remixed version of Spook E's versions (tracks 2, 5, and 6). The song bursts into action with some awesome DJ scratching (something I don't hear enough in dance music) and a thumping dance bass that is so perfect it gives me shivers. The production in this version of the song is very complex, and I really love the scratch solo around 2:49. This is by far the best of the mixes on the single, and Holger Lagerfeldt and DJ Hotkutt did an amazing job.

The Original Ghost Version isn't as "tight" as the Radio Mix as far as production is concerned as the bass isn't as thumping. There are a lot of extra very cheesy vocals in this version and I really enjoy listening to the extra English lyrics they have added - "If you wanna hubba, bring a rubber, I'll be your lover, deep under cover!" You can tell the people involved in this project had a lot of fun recording the crazy vocal samples that are riddled throughout this song. The lead female vocalist's voice is extra cute and perfect for bubblegum production - she actually reminds me of Aneela from Toy-Box. I praise the vocal production on this single, it's very clear and they are very talented.

Holger Lagerfeldt returns to produce the next two tracks - the Margarita Club Versions. These songs really took me by surprise - they are great! They sound like completely different songs to the other mixes, and it's very refreshing to be given something new like this on a CDM. The instrumentals are very catchy and are in a Spanish style (there are even some "Hola Senorita's!" thrown into the mix to add to the flavor). Ghost Gang could have recorded new vocals for these mixes and made a completely new song - I think that would have been great.

Ghosts Just Wanna Have Fun Version is an alternative mix to the Original Ghost Version, and includes an extended instrumental with less extra vocals. I really enjoy the bubblegum elements in this production, and the beats and synth selections remind me of Combayah's Fantasy Dreamworld and Sweet Kisses. The song also has a "smashing" ending (hehe). The last track "Bonus Ghost" is only 4 seconds long and is just a vocal sample that you can hear at the very beginning of the Original Ghost Version. There's nothing special about this, and I think it might have been a personal joke with the artists involved in this release.

Overall, "Hubba Hubba Zoot Zoot '99" is an excellent release, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the original version by Caramba. By adding more lyrics and beefing up the production, I think Ghost Gang did a great job at improving this track and making it their own. My favorite mix is track 1 as the beats are amazing. It's a shame Ghost Gang did not release anymore songs, I think this group's "ghost" concept is awesome, and they definitely have a lot of talent.